Scotland County R-I Elementary recently received a grant from BP for the new playground that is being constructed. Pictured are Gary and Mary Young, of Gas & More; Elementary Principal, Rhonda McBee; and some of the elementary children who will be enjoying the playground.

The first stages of construction for the new Scotland County R-I Elementary School playground began this month. Those efforts received a financial boost last week when the project was named the recipient of a $1,500 grant from BP North America.

The generous gift was made possible by Gary and Mary Young of Gas & More in Memphis, a BP fueling station, as well as Big River Oil Company of Hannibal as part of BP's Fueling Communities Program.

Fueling Communities provides grants to local organizations that are nominated by BP branded marketers to support the communities in which they do business. The program allows local marketers to support organizations that focus on health, education, youth, food and housing to spread charity and good will, among neighborhoods in need.

Phase I of the three phase project to construct the new facility began this spring, as dirt work was completed and a new cement circular walking path and tricycle course has been poured and completed.

The estimated cost for this first stage Phase 1 was approximately $17,000, which represents half of the projected price tag for the entire project.

The three-stage project ultimately will create a new playground for students in kindergarten, first and second grade, to be located at the west of the elementary school, between the high school and the elementary school.

The BP grant will contribute to the ongoing fundraising efforts that have included projects like the 2011 spring play-a-thon, cookbook sales, a Feco Seed sales fundraiser, and Box Top collections. Other grants have been received from the Pamida Foundation, Wal-Mart and the Missouri Foundation for Health in addition to donations from the local Beta sororities as well as the Scotland County PTO.